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Author
Topic: Interference of HIV rapid testing when one is in her menstrual period? (Read 17629 times)

Dear all: this is my first time to know this place. Would be very grateful if the experts here could access my exposure.

I went to a KTV in chinatown. The girl gave me a sort of lap dance (sit on me rubbing my penis,all my clothes are on and she wears her t-string).my penis was erected and she had her t-string on.After i left the KTV, I noticed a small white stain on my pants (near genital area).question-->Assume the white stain is her vaginal secretions, any chance for it to permeate through her t-string and get onto my pants and permeate through to my underwear then to my penis by the rubbing and grinding?

It has been two weeks since the encouter. I have developed flu-like symptoms today and also I had a bad diarrhea this morning. I am so scared if i could be infected with HIV through this..could you please help? thanks a million!

Even if both of you were naked during your lapdance, you would not have had a risk for hiv infection. Hiv transmission happens INSIDE the human body, as in unprotected anal or vaginal intercourse.

You didn't have a risk and you don't need to test.

Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, correctly and consistently, and you will avoid hiv infection. It really is that simple. Read through all three condom and lube links in my signature line so you can use condoms with confidence.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

many thanks, Ann and RapidRod!The reason why HIV is not a concern here is that even her viganial fluid traveled from her t-string and permeated through to my underwear or to my penis, the ability of infection for the fluid is gone, am i right?also, even those fluid managed to travel to my penis would have very little quantity. Am i right?

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

what happened to me besides the lap-dance in my first post 2 months ago is:

on May 10th, I visited a massage center. The lady there provided me a handjob. Before the handjob, she touched her vigina. My fear here is: if she has had some of her viginal fulid on her hand and subsequently (short time, could be a few seconds) a handjob done on my penis without a condom, does this pose any threat of HIV infection if she is HIV+ (i.e. possible hand to genital infection)?

following up with this lap-dance incident on July 10th, I have been tested negative on Sept 8th and a few times of negative before Sept 8th (4 month since the massage incident and 2 month since the lap-dance incident).-the test is rapid test done at hospital.

Could I really put this behind me and move on without any more HIV testing?I know what my problem is, guilt, but i just can't help thinking of it. I seem always telling myself, only a 6-month negative result is conclusive. i.e., Jan 10th, 2009 would be the date for the 6 month of the most recent lap-dance incident.

first of all..thank you all so much for being helpful to answer all worried-souls questions. recently, there is some aids awareness program carried out in my town and I just become more worried about myself. However, this time, I am not worrying about the two exposures mentioned before because I already tested negative at 4 months for both exposures.. now my concern is about a week ago happened in a toilet in a restaurant. I usually wash my penis after pee-ing. Last saturday, i did the same at a toliet of a restaurant. However, the head of the penis accidently touched the outter side of the hand-washing basin. I can't remember if there is any fluid other than water which has touched the head of my penis. My concern is if the fluid other than water are HIV infectious fluid such as blood or semen, could i be infected by HIV in this manner? I know I may sound absurd...but I am just too afraid with all this..

Many thanks for your reply to me always I think I just feel too guilty over all massage incidents as I'm going to marry my girlfriend next year and everything has been well planned except the regrets that have planted and kept growing deep into myself. I feel that I am linking every tiny details during all massage experiences to HIV infection.

In fact, i just thought of another detail during another massage experience which I wasn't bothered at all because I didn't do anything even not a handjob (I promise this is going to be the last one). However, i remembered that this massage lady was having her period (her first day). She was wearing a pantyliner which were stick on the inside of her underwear(I don't remember her underwear was even wet/soaked by blood as i remembered I touched her underwear which was dry)...I know it is probably due to the menstrual blood on her underwear or pantyliner made my worry again....as I was fully naked...could there be any possibility that I could be infected by accidental touch of my penis head/urethra to her underwear, legs, mini-skirt or anywhere where there could be any of her menstrual blood (dry blood, blood stain or whatever?).

OK, you have been coming here long enough so that you should know that the kinds of incidents you are concerned about do not in anyway present a risk of HIV transmission. Absolutely NONE!

In terms of sexual acts the only things that are definitely high risk are unprotected vaginal and anal intercourse. Some other acts are theoretically risky but in the real world of HIV we know it's all about unprotected intercourse. And if you were to have intercourse then using a condom everytime would protect you very well from HIV.

HIV is a fragile virus and not easily transmitted. And certainly not from fingering, from lap dances, maturbation, massages or such.

Guilt and shame seem to be much more easily transmitted and it seems to me that is what is driving your unwarranted fears. Give it up and let it go. You have not been at risk. Period.

thank you so much for the firm and quick reply. I guess what I concern with the menstrual blood is some stained blood on her skirt or body came in touch to my urethra. No rubbing or grinding of my penis to any part of her, hence it was merely a touch. Is it even not theoretically risky?

Sexually doing anything other than with your own hand is "theoretically" risky.

However, HIV is not transmitted via environmental surfaces such as clothing, doorknobs, toilet seats, food, dishes and/or other things people seem to become worried about. In the setting you have described it wouldn't have mattered even if the fabric was dripping with menstrual blood.

massive thanks, Andy. I really can't remember which part of her touched my urethra through slight nudging while I was naked. Anyway, even my urethra indeed came into contact (slight nudging) with any form of blood (either dry or stain on her body) from her pantiliner or underwear or skirts or legs, it wont form any kinda infection of HIV, right?

After some further thoughts, I realised that I was just too imaginative and scared unecessarily. You see, I always said what if the menstrual blood came into contact with my penis. but some facts which I thought could counter this happening after all.1) Even there is any menstrual blood coming out from her virgina, the blood must have contacted with her underwear, pantiliners or skirt(because she was fully clothed all time) , hence lost infectious ability even the blood came in touch my penis head. RIGHT?

2) there is no blood noticed on my penis that day. I would have noticed or felt it if my penis came in touch with any wet blood. or at least saw red when I was taking shower that night.

3) I remembered that I never intended to put my penis near her under wear region. i.e., less chance to touch any blood from her virgina due to her period.

I do apologies for the excessive posting on this but I just can't get over of it. I also know I am getting really paranoid and sometimes panic over the fear of HIV. But I do appreciate your opinions over my words below

Andy: At the moment, all I am telling myself is there wasn't any menstrual blood at all on that day and to be honest I feel only this fact could set my mind at peace. Thus, I am trying to remember everything to support the absense of blood. Here is my logic: if there is any blood dripping off her underwear, she would've felt/noticed it and stopped the massage to wash herself first before serving the customer OR I could've seen the blood on the white towel or bedsheet BUT both didn't happen.After the massage, she cleared the bedsheet and collected all the white towels and I remembered that I saw her doing all that and I still didn't see any blood on her leg (she was wearing a short skirt hence easy to see the legs). Do you think my logic is correct?

Anyone who continues to post excessively, questioning a conclusive negative result orno-risk situation, will be subject to a four week Time Out (a temporary ban from the Forums). If you continue to post excessively after one Time Out, you may be given a second Time Out which will last eight weeks. There is no third Time Out - it is a permanent ban. The purpose of a Time Out is to encourage you to seek the face-to-face help we cannot provide on this forum.

It doesn't matter if your logic is correct or not. It doesn't matter if she was on her period or not. It doesn't matter if she was dripping blood or not. The fact is - you didn't have unprotected intercourse with her. You didn't have a risk.

Keep posting over this NO RISK incident and you will be given a time out. You will not be warned again.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

apologies for excessive posting. I am just paranoid and I am trying hard to convince myself there is no risk in my encounter. In fact, i did think through a few days ago until last night when I am down with a low fever (37.5 C) +sore throat + mild diarreha + no rash yet..I came to be scared again from encounter with the massage lady who was having her period 5 weeks ago.

Please don't take my post below as excessive posting, as i am just asking a simple question of ARS symptom which I never asked upon. i got this ulcer in my throat (white spot in front of the tonsil on the left of the photo) photo at

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

i am asking this on behalf of a female friend who doesn't know English well.If a lady is in her menstrual cycle and goes to test her HIV outside window period by using either oraquick or any other rapid test kit (approved by FDA). Will the result be affected by the menstrual cycle at all?such as hormone level etc? I read the body website which states that a pregnant lady could have a confusing HIV test result during the pregnancy because of some body substance released in blood which interfere with the rapid anti-body test. Is it true?

I've merged your new thread into your original thread - where you should post all your additional thoughts or questions. It helps us to help you when you keep all your additional thoughts or questions in one thread. It doesn't matter if you're posting about a new incident or asking a question for someone else.

If you need help finding your thread when you come here, click on the "Show own posts" link under your name in the left-hand column of any forum page.

Please also read through the Welcome Thread so you can familiarize yourself with our Forum Posting Guidelines. Thank you for your cooperation.

While pregnancy sometimes causes false positives, the menstrual cycle has no effect whatsoever on hiv antibody testing. A woman who is not pregnant will not have the same hormones in her blood as a pregnant woman.

A false positive antibody result due to pregnancy will be picked up by the Western Blot test, which must be used to confirm - or rule out - any positive antibody result.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

so it is the hormones which play the trick in HIV antibody testing?just to confirm, a pregnant lady will have a different hormones to a lady in menstrual cycle and this difference hormones is the cause to the possible false-positive? also, are there any false-negative cases for pregnant lady due to this hormones?

Pregnant women have a hormone in their bodies that other women (or men) don't - human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG). And yes, this hormone is believed to be what can sometimes cause false positives in pregnant women - although I don't think they know this for fact. It's a supposition.

And no, there are NO hormones that would cause a false-negative.

As long as your friend is testing three months or more past her risky encounter, then her result will be conclusive - no matter where she is in her menstrual cycle.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

She is tested negative at 6th month mark with Oraquick HIV 1/2 finger prick blood at a local clinic here.The doctor told her she could let it go as the test sensitivity is 99.6% (0.4% of false negative rate)..Does she needs to worry false negative?May I know what possible false negative cases are in the Oraquick rapid test? she is healthy without any chronic diseases

As the window period is ONLY THREE MONTHS (and you should know that by now) your friend has MORE THAN conclusively tested negative for hiv. She does NOT have hiv. No, it's not a false negative. She doesn't have hiv.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Ann - thanks for the reply. I will vanish after my last 2 question (I know the rule well as I was given a time-out before).

1)What are the possible reasons to have false negative for a person who is tested well beyond the window by using Oraquick finger prick blood method? 2)or the 0.4% false negative rate from oraquick (distributor site) refer to those who tested within window?

Appreciate if you could answer me straight and I will disappear after this. Millions of thanks!!

Anyone who continues to post excessively, questioning a conclusive negative result or no-risk situation, will be subject to a four week Time Out (a temporary ban from the Forums). If you continue to post excessively after one Time Out, you may be given a second Time Out which will last eight weeks. There is no third Time Out - it is a permanent ban. The purpose of a Time Out is to encourage you to seek the face-to-face help we cannot provide on this forum.

1 - There ARE no reasons a person would have a false negative result at six months.

2 - I've never seen any reason given for this number. Perhaps it is lab/human error, but I don't know. Why don't you write to the company and ask THEM?

I have a suspicion that you're asking these questions for yourself, not another person. What ever the reason is, we've given you the answers and it's time you got on with your life. One more post from you about this false negative stuff and you'll be given another time out. Enough is enough already.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Just back from oversea trip and saw your reply.Many thanks for your answers as always. I have another (i hope this is the last one) question: Will the rapid HIV blood test be affected if i ate my lunch 2 hours before the test??I remembered I needed to be empty stomach when I did my liver testing by using my blood too..so wonder if food could change any protein inside blood and weaken the strength of HIV-antibody to be detected by the blood rapid test?

I am willing to get a time-out after this question and to give myself a break over this matter...However, I would very much appreciate your answer on this.

1 - There ARE no reasons a person would have a false negative result at six months.

2 - I've never seen any reason given for this number. Perhaps it is lab/human error, but I don't know. Why don't you write to the company and ask THEM?

I have a suspicion that you're asking these questions for yourself, not another person. What ever the reason is, we've given you the answers and it's time you got on with your life. One more post from you about this false negative stuff and you'll be given another time out. Enough is enough already.

Just back from oversea trip and saw your reply.Many thanks for your answers as always. I have another (i hope this is the last one) question: Will the rapid HIV blood test be affected if i ate my lunch 2 hours before the test??I remembered I needed to be empty stomach when I did my liver testing by using my blood too..so wonder if food could change any protein inside blood and weaken the strength of HIV-antibody to be detected by the blood rapid test?

I am willing to get a time-out after this question and to give myself a break over this matter...However, I would very much appreciate your answer on this.

i got an interesting question. I understand that in the HIV rapid test there is false positive. One reason for it is that HIV antigen placed on the testing strip gets reacted with non-HIV antibodies. So it seems antigen-antibody pair doesn't react(combine) together exactly always. Mismatch does happens.

My question - if one eats lunch before the HIV test, could be any antigen in the food which flow into the blood thereafterreact with HIV-antibody and make the antibody unable to react with the designed HIV antigen on the testing strip, hence false negative?

I need your reply on this..I feel that only a logical scientific answer to this could put me at ease...

Anyone who continues to post excessively, questioning a conclusive negative result orno-risk situation, will be subject to a four week Time Out (a temporary ban from the Forums). If you continue to post excessively after one Time Out, you may be given a second Time Out which will last eight weeks. There is no third Time Out - it is a permanent ban. The purpose of a Time Out is to encourage you to seek the face-to-face help we cannot provide on this forum.

Very sorry, RapidRod.Could you please allow me to have an answer from Andy?

my questions are quite clear I think:1) Does food produce antigen?2) Does HIV antibody in blood react with food antigen(antigen which is released by food taken before the HIV test) by any chance? if not, why HIV antigen placed in HIV testing strip could react with non-HIV antibody in some false positive cases?3) If HIV antibody does react with food antigen by accident, will this reaction fail the real HIV antibody to be detected by HIV rapid test?